A Short History of Failure

A SHORT HISTORY OF FAILURE      

“Stop trusting in man who is but a breath
in his nostrils; of what account is he?”
                                            -- Isaiah 2:22

I.
Eve, having forgotten the facts of life,
lost her argument with the devil, while
Adam--distracted and sulking because
the serpent hadn’t spoken to him, chose
to ignore the consequences of his pride.

He later recalled just outside the Gates
of Eden, the flaming sword still throwing
off heat after all these years:

I felt my lips and tongue
being pulled away from the inside,
resignation settled on my silence
like heavy dust. I could not respond--
even as my eyes envisioned a wilderness
stretching afar until time had no more
                              reign or desire.              
   
Eve, angry and frustrated at Adam’s
impotence, spent her days writing post
cards to old friends: wish you were here.
It’s much lonelier than paradise.
                              
 II.
Adam continued his story--one eye on
the wrath of God, the other on the dust,
packed hard at his feet.

Back and forth we came, looking for
the  familiar. Yet, somewhere along
the way the distance became too much,  
the maps all neatly drawn on the back
of our hands had faded. It was lengths
of time like long tangled  strings that
we were caught up in. For the old places
had changed. Old  voices  were gone,
taking with them the old truths, the old
meanings. New voices had entered, and
we no longer understand the language.
Our favorite stories--the histories of our
young lives, written out on crumbling
tablets, had been wiped away countless
times.

All the while, Eve continued to scribble on
post cards--her frustration ever growing
at the lack of response she received.

III.
While his old eyes searched the dimmed
horizon for a clue, Adam recalled a moment
he experienced a long time ago.

I remember one evening . . . the early
spring air was exceptionally warm.
The heavens could not discern the

contradiction. Soon the confused sky

rumbled. The rain came and I knew

tomorrow would be colder. It was then
I understood: Innocence is perhaps too
heavy a memory for anyone to bear.

Eve sighed at the story and silently
returned to her correspondence--
hoping for one more good day.

Author's Note

This old poem is submitted as a companion poem to Eilis' poem "Genus"

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love how your poem feels like a semi-modern take on the old battle of the sexes, as personified by Adam & Eve & the expectations they carry with them into the garden. Maybe this exemplifies why I've never gotten married. The mismatch of expectations has always been way too severe in my many experiences. With five bitchy emasculating older sisters to observe as a small child, I kinda grew up being turned off by mismatched expectations. But try as I might, I would become the emasculating b***h in your poem, otherwise known as Eve. I guess people who habitually partner up are those who can tolerate/ignore some other person's out-of-control expectations. I love your poem & I love that it directed me to also read Eilis' poem. Good on both of you! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[kentuck14]

Margie,
Thanks for reading and sharing. Expectations can be our undoing.
T

[Robert Trakofler]

I am feeling this is one of if not my favorite thing I have read that you have written Kentuck this so easily transferred to everyone in myriad situations. This was inspired writing of an epic proportion to say the least good sir! will be saving this one for further reading

[kentuck14]

Bunny,
Thanks for saying so . . . was published in a small journal about 11 years ago. I see A & E as a good model for much musing about the state of the human race. Again, thanks for the compliment.
T

[Dave Brown]

This is quite an accomplished bit of writing
acknowledging that my simple mind is incapable of offering a relevant commentary, I would at least like to suggest that if those two had managed to get their act together, we wouldn't be in the mess we always seem to step into
How do you come up with this stuff

[kentuck14]

Dave,
Thanks for your thoughts. This poem was written about 11 years ago . . . taking bits from earlier attempts . . . putting them together in the lost garden scene . . . I guess it just came to me . . . lucky enough to get the poem published. Thanks for stopping by.
T

[Einstein Noodle]

wow! heavy head kentuck! love the take off on Adam and Eve .. spot on internal juggling trying to compensate the disobedience .. the sinful pride .. really like the power and agony in these lines:
"Adam continued his story--one eye on
the wrath of God, the other on the dust,
packed hard at his feet."
there is a depth in your writing ...not everyone pursues an internal life and searching .. a lot of tid bits to take with me .. another is
"....Innocence is perhaps too
heavy a memory for anyone to bear." the implication for me is immense .. how very far back we must go to find it ... before time i am afraid ... love your stuff .. see you around the mwavelous Cafe'
E.

[kentuck14]

Again E, I appreciate your detailed reviews and comments. Thanks for stopping by. Will visit your site soon.
T

[Einstein Noodle]

well....i hope you do kentuck ..i think it will be a pleasure to get to know one another a bit :) right here at the Cafe'

[CD Campbell]

I enjoy nuanced work such as this. Of course I have an ongoing desire for Eve, but can relate and have a soft spot for Adam and all his failures. For any real responsible man comes the burden of guilt, not just for himself, but also for the missteps of the ones he loves. You either fold from the weight or internalize it and become philosophical in the following years. I dont know. I think this is a powerful poem. I really enjoyed the dialogue from our oldest male relative.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I so enjoyed this characterisation of Adam and Eve with both seemingly living in parallel universes and contenting one another with their own narrow interests and thoughts as life simply passes them by. Much like real life and marriage really lol! Nicely done Tom.

[Eilis]

I like that this shows the personalities of two people who have had such an impact on human thought. Mostly they are archetypes or symbols for us, but you make them fully human and let their flaws be part of their story as it keeps stretching into the horizon.

It’s interesting how you give such contrasts to their reactions as they learn how to live outside perfection. Adam seems disconcerted. Philosophical. And Eve seeks mostly to distract herself, or try to reverse her action through language. She still has hope that paradise will be reclaimed and he is trying to come to a place where he is able to frame his current place as the better.

A lot of depth in those ideas. I love the multi-layered emotional lives. The idea that Adam was jealous of Eve when she was the subject of the serpent’s interest rather than him. You really show the hopelessness of it all. The human mind grappling with experience and trying to find ways to feel better rather than learning to avoid the trouble again.

Very cool poem, Tom. Much deeper than mine, but I can definitely see why mine would make you think of this one. Thanks for sharing.

[kentuck14]

E,
Enjoyed your detailed and insightful review. Thanks.
T

[John the Baptist]

Actually, I don't think Adam was miffed because the serpent had not spoken to him. If that had been the case, he would have had to accept full responsibility for the forbidden fruit breach of security. Then he could not have tried to pass the buck to the woman. I'll bet she nagged him to the end of his days for that piece of non-chivalry.

[kentuck14]

The very first martial argument happened in the garden!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh my....this is genius...Adam and Eve paralleling so many relationships nowadays..
the lack of communication, the ego, the stubbornness and lack of listening.
Snakes not withstanding....Paradise by the Dashboard light might have not had the happy ending Meatloaf hoped for.
love the postcard idea...
j.

[kentuck14]

J.
Guess mankind hasn't changed much over the eons.
Thanks for the review.
T